KEY POINTS:
It seems strange that, in these days of new rules and freer-flowing games, the Blues will again be without a specialist openside flanker when they take on the Lions at 6am today.
Daniel Braid is still recovering from injury and Blues coach David Nucifora will keep the team that beat the Chiefs last week. Back-up flanker Onosa'i Tololima-Auva'a is on the bench, with veteran Justin Collins preferred alongside Jerome Kaino and big-charging No 8 Nick Williams.
The Lions, who are not a serious threat to the Blues, do not have a top-tier openside flanker although captain Cobus Grobelaar is a hard worker.
Even more importantly, the South African sides so far do not seem to have the same preparation for the new rules and do not yet seem to possess the same mobility. If the Blues start well and get on top of the Lions - as the Crusaders did to the Bulls yesterday - they too could run up a large score if the Lions forwards start to feel the aerobic pinch.
So players like Collins and Kaino loom as important links in the Blues' ball-carrying chain - just as Richie McCaw, Kieran Read and Mose Tuiali'i were significant contributors in the Crusaders' win.
In the backs, Nick Evans could create havoc if he has space as could Joe Rokocoko after he impressed against the Chiefs.
The Lions should perhaps not be written off too roundly. They scrapped their way to a narrow win over the Cheetahs last week. Anton van Zyl is a good ball-winning lock, No 8 Willem Alberts can mount some Williams-like charges and Rayno Benjamin has plenty of toe on the wing.
However, if it is not a comfortable win to the Blues there may be some questions asked back at Eden Park.
Lions: Louis Ludik, Dusty Noble, Jaco Pretorius (v/c), Doppies la Grange, Rayno Benjamin, Louis Strydom, Jano Vermaak, Willem Alberts, Franco van der Merwe, Cobus Grobbelaar (c), Gerhard Mostert, Anton van Zyl, Ross Geldenhuys, Willie Wepener, Heinke van der Merwe. Replacements: Gavin Williamson, Gert Andries van der Merwe, Alten Hulme, Joe van Niekerk, Chris Jonck, Earl Rose, Jaco van Schalkwyk.
Blues: Isa Nacewa, Anthony Tuitavake, Isaia Toeava, Benson Stanley, Joe Rokocoko, Nick Evans, Danny Lee, Nick Williams, Justin Collins, Jerome Kaino, Troy Flavell (c), Kurtis Haiu, John Afoa, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock. Replacements: Tom McCartney, Nick White, Bryn Evans, Onosa'i Tololima-Auva'a, Taniela Moa, Ben Atiga, Rudi Wulf.
